Flag display and housing pole



Dec. 24, 1968 L. H. PLAT-r, JR 3,417,732

FLAG DISPLAY AND HOUSING PoLE Filed May 23, 1966 l2v Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 24, 1968 L. H. PLAT-r, JR

FLAG DISPLAY AND HOUSING -POLE Filed May 23, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent a 3,417,732 FLAG DISPLAY AND HOUSING POLE Leland H. Platt, r., 27016 Spring Creek Road, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif. 90274 Filed May 23, 1966, Ser. No. 552,226 6 Claims. (Cl. 116-173) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention is directed to novel arrangements for the mounting and manipulation of a ag in association with a pole for normal display in elevated position, and providing about a lower or bottom extent of the pole an annular flag storage chamber into and out of which the flag is displaceable by manipulation of a flag carrying line.

This invention relates to fiag pole apparatus and, more particularly, to apparatus for alternately displaying and storing a ag.

The invention contemplates apparatus operable from a remote location for displaying a flag and for storing such flag at times when display is inappropriate or undesirable, including means associated with a flag pole into which the fiag may be drawn and covered for protection against the elements.

The desire to display a ag is often tempered by the realization that places for prominent display are usually elevated and generally precarious, for example, the top of a building adjacent the edge of the roof. The inconvenience and expense associated with the twice daily effort to attach, raise, lower, detach and store the ag have discouraged more frequent ag display.

Numerous inventions in the past have been made to ease the effort involved in Hag display. In general, the proposed solutions involve a storage space within, above or below the flag pole and range from an extra large ball xed on the top of the pole to bulky storage lockers at the base of the pole. These expedients have not found widespread acceptance because of the unsightliness of the apparatus required, which spoils the simple symmetry of the pole, or in the case of internal storage devices, the expense involved in fabricating suitable pole structures. The provision of a slot in a conventional flag pole, eg. one of tubular aluminum is a considerable expense and a slotted chamber in a wooden ilag pole is a practical impossibility.

In the present invention aesthetic and practical disadvantages of the prior art are overcome. Easily fabricated apparatus, affording the traditional symmetry of ag poles and providing a weather tight enclosure for the ag is herein disclosed. Moreover, the present flag pole apparatus is suitable for use in an inconveniently accessible place because the invention permits ag manipulation from an oice within a building on which the ag pole is mounted.

Accordingly, this invention Vprovides a iiag pole apparatus including a pole carrying a ag on an upper portion and, on a lower portion of the pole, a receptacle spaced away from and circumscribing the lower portion to dene therewith a flag receiving chamber and means for raising and lowering the ag into and out of the chamber.

The invention further provides for remotely controlled raising and lowering of the flag and the automatic closing of the chamber opening following lowering of the flag to prevent ingress of dirt and precipitation.

The invention will be further described in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the ag pole apparatus of the present invention;

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FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in vertical section of the lower portion of the flag pole apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in section of the upper portion of the ag pole apparatus shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the flag partly enclosed in the flag receiving chamber;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the flag completely enclosed with the ag receiving chamber;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged Sectional view in side elevation of the closure Iball shown in FIG. l; and

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

Referring now to the `drawings in detail, there is shown in FIG. l a ag pole apparatus including a tubular flag pole generally indicated at 10 carrying a dag 12 standing on a base 14 which maybe a roof, including the diflcultly accessi-ble peak, a sill, rail, ledge, or the ground or other support on which a pole can be mounted for flag display. 'libe flag is shown elevated to upper portion 10a of the pole and is surmounted by closure ball 16. Lower portion 10b of the pole is circumscribed by receptacle 18 in the form of a tubular section of greater diameter spaced from the pole to define a flag receiving 4chamber 20,`as ybest seen in FIG. 2. The receptacle 1S is generally concentric with pole 10 and is provided with a rolled shoulder 18a at its uppermost extension. Line 22 extends along the pole and carries the ag. At the base of pole 10 housing 23 encloses a line drive mechanism including sheave 26 and idler wheel 28. Line 22 passes around sheave 26 and along the exterior of pole 10 to sheave 30 at the top of pole 10 and then into the interior of the pole and downwardly to sheave 26. Also in FIG. 2, line 22 is shown with a spring insert 32 to tension the line and to maintain its frictional contact with sheaves 26 and 30.

Referring now to FIG. 3, secured to line 22 to carry the ilag is a ag support means which includes rings 24 rotatable 360 in raceways 34 at opposite ends of sleeve 35 journaled on pole upper portion 10a. Suitable fasteners 36 secure the flag to rings 24. The ag is thus freely rotatable about the pole and is separated tby the sleeve from possible entanglement with or such interference by the line 22 as might prevent smooth folding and unfolding of the flag into and out of chamber 20.

An important feature of the present invention is the automatic closure of the flag receiving chamber on the lowering of the flag. Means for closing the chamber, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 include the closure ball 16 which surmounts the upper ring and comprises a pair of hemispherical sections 16a and 1611 joined at their respective flanges. Within the closure ball, a drag mechanism 38, carried by support 40, is secured between the sections. The drag mechanism comprises a shoe 42 having a snubibing surface ybearing `frictionally and slidably against line 22. The shoe, pivotally secured at pin 46, is biased toward axis 48 4by spring 50, adjustable 4with set screw 52.

A further important feature of the present invention is the capacity of the apparatus to be operated from a location remote to the pole. The ag pole can tbe at the roof of a building and t-he flag carrying line can `be extended to any remote location or means for reversely actuating the flag carrying line can be provided in an office one or many stories below the ag display point. Typically a reversiblc motor 54 having reversing switch 56 at the office location drives sheave 58 to mo-ve line 6i) appropriately. Line 60 in turn drives sheave 62, coaxially mounted with sheave 26 on axle 64, to adjust flag carrying line 22 to raise or lower the ag.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the flag is raised or lowered by rotating sheave 26 by adjustment of line 6G leading from the remote control such as switch operated motor 54 to turn coaxial sheave 62 and axle 64.

Clockwise revolution of sheave 26 lowers the flag toward receptacle 18. By frictional engagement 'between the snubbing surface of shoe 42 and line 22, ball 16 simultaneously moves downward with the flag. With continued downward movement, ring 24 is received in the receptacle and the flag is drawn and folded into the annular chamber 21B. Ball 16 reaches receptacle shoulder 18a and stops there as the frictional engagement of the snubber surface and line 22 permits slippage of the line through the ball. The congruence of ball 16 and shoulder 18a serves to assist the shaping of the llag into a form easily receivable in the receptacle. Continued downward lmovement of the flag completely encloscs the ag within chamber 20. The ball may be provided with an annular lip 161 seatable on shoulder 18a to exclude dirt and water from the chamber. Elevation of the iiag is accomplished by reverse actuation of the line 22 by counterclockwise rotation of sheave 26. Ball 16 is lifted by line 22 upward to the sheave 31) where again, frictional resistance notwithstanding, line 22 slips through the ball. The ornamental ball is in place atop the pole during ilag display but at other times serves to protect the flag from exposure.

1n summary, the invention affords a ag pole apparatus of traditionally symmetrical appearance having a ball which is both decorative and functional; having the storage chamber as inconspicuous as it is efficient; and wherein remote control operation makes pole location immaterial.

I claim:

1. Flag pole apparatus comprising a vertical pole and a tlag to be raised and lowered alongside the pole, a tubular member surrounding and annularly spaced from a lower extent of said pole to form therewith an annular chamber for reception of said ag, support-guide means mounted on the upper end of said pole, a line operatively associated with said support-guide means and extending longitudinally of said pole and into said chamber and operable to raise and lower said flag, and means connecting said tlag to said line whereby the flag automatically and fully enters said chamber upon being pulled down thereinto from normal exposed distension, and automatically restores to normal distension when hauled up out of the chamber.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the top of said tube has an annular outwardly curved surface for smooth gmidance oi the flag into the chamber 'from any direction.

31. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said connecting means mounts the flag for bodily wind conformed rotation about the pole.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which said connecting means comprise rings carrying the flag and rotatable about the pole.

S. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said line extends through said chamber and carries about the flag a pole-surrounding closure which seats upon the top of said tube following entry of the ag into said chamber.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which said Connecting means includes a sleeve carrying said rings below said closure, the sleeve, rings and ilag being receivable within said chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,321,837 11/1919 Mader 116-173 1,610,663 12/1926 Diago 116-173 1,645,645 10/1927 Davis 1116-173 1,645,691 10/1927 Davis 116-173 2,327,056 8/1943 Nelson 116-173 2,377,219 5/1945 Ellis 116-173 2,440,500 4/1948 Ellis 116-173 2,530,654 11/1950 Ellis 116-173 3,325,734 12/1965 Bule 116-173 3,300,185 l/l967 Metzger et al 254-l34.3

LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 52-146 

